Stocks near record highs on recovery hopes, Curevac sinks
LONDON (May 6): Shares rose to near record highs on Thursday, underpinned by a better outlook from Europe's leading carmaker Volkswagen and increasing confidence in economic recovery in Germany and more widely. The STOXX index of 600 European companies was up 0.2% at 442.50 points, just below its record high of 443.61. The MSCI's broadest gauge of world stocks, ACWI, was up 0.18% at 700.98 points, about 10 points short of its record high set last month. Commodities shineCommodity prices drew strength from the prospects for economic recovery, with copper flirting with 10-year peaks. Dow hit a record high overnight, having risen 0.29%, while the S&P 500 added 0.07%.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 06, 2021 08:48 UTC
Khairy: Second round of AstraZeneca opt-in details to be released next week
PETALING JAYA: Details for the second round of AstraZeneca (AZ) Covid-19 vaccine opt-in will be announced next week, says Khairy Jamaluddin. "While much attention has been given to the opt-in AZ track under the National Covid-19 Immunisation programme (Pick), phase two is well underway with more seniors receiving their appointments. The AZ vaccine rollout began in Malaysia on a voluntary basis on Wednesday (May 5). Meanwhile on a separate matter, those who received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and given dates earlier than the recommended 12 weeks for their second jab will have their appointments rescheduled, said Khairy. Khairy had said that the interval between the first and second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is set at 12 weeks.
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 08:33 UTC
Tokyo set to seek extension of emergency until May 31
Japan had hoped a "short and powerful" emergency would contain a fourth wave of infections just under three months before Tokyo is set to host the Olympic Games from July 23. "Based on the analyses from various angles, my thinking is that we need an extension of the state of emergency," Koike said. "The Tokyo 2020 Games are a highly significant event that serves as a beacon of hope for the world." Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura will also seek an extension from the central government. "I think we cannot help but to ask for an extension," Yoshimura told a meeting of experts, adding that the region's medical system was being strained to its limit.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 06, 2021 07:17 UTC
With love on the rocks, marriage counselling booms in China
“I always say that Chinese marriage counselling is mostly like treating late-stage cancer, ” said Zhu, explaining that the majority of his clients arrive in “absolute crisis”. After decades of the “one-child policy”, China faces a stark gender imbalance with 30 million more men than women. State-organised counsellingLawmakers last year introduced a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period for divorce by agreement, which previously could be settled within a day. “The ‘divorce cooling-off period’ has become a ‘divorce abuse period’, which completely deviates from its original purpose, ” said Guangzhou marriage lawyer Wang Youbai. But more Chinese women are also refusing to cave in, with marriage registrations last year falling to their lowest level in nearly two decades.
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 07:00 UTC
Malaysia Airlines offers training opportunity in aviation industry
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines is offering training opportunity in the aviation industry, especially SPM leavers to pursue a career in the aviation industry. The national carrier said the candidates could enrol in various technical aircraft engineering courses. Malaysia Airlines said the training is managed by its engineering training department and complies with the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) and Aviation Authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Specialised in ensuring a steady talent pipeline in aviation-related fields, the engineering training department offers various training and courses to those seeking to be aviation maintenance personnel with various engineering and maintenance training courses. For details, Malaysia Airlines urged the interested candidates to visit the https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/campaign/aircraft-engineering-training.html or contact Dr Umran Abdul Rahman from business & development and engineering training department of Malaysia Airlines at umran.abdulrahman@malaysiaairlines.com.my
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 06:23 UTC
How having flat feet can affect you
Flat feet occur when the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened instead of curved. Although I have flat feet, I would like to think that I can still function quite normally. When you are a baby or toddler, you naturally have flat feet as the foot arch has not yet developed. My flat feet are not painful, but will they become painful and affect me when I’m older? Your doctor may also recommend stretching exercises if you have a short Achilles tendon associated with your flat feet.
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 04:52 UTC
Two police officers, including former Altantuya IO, freed from Sosma detention over links to Nicky Liow
KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Two police officers — a Superintendent who investigated the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu and another Assistant Superintendent — who were picked up to assist investigations over alleged links to fugitive businessman Nicky Liow were released last night. “They along with some other officers and two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers were picked up and detained in the Johor Bahru police contingent headquarters. “Some were released last night including my client and some expected to be released today,” he said. He explained that his clients were not directly involved with Liow but were detained under unfortunate circumstances. Read also:Pahang Palace strips Nicky Liow of Datuk Seri title12 police, MACC officers allegedly linked to Nicky Gang detained
Source:The Edge Markets
May 06, 2021 03:49 UTC
Reflections on the AstraZeneca opt-in exercise
The decision of the authorities to make the AstraZeneca vaccine a voluntary opt-in option for individuals living in the Klang Valley has proven to be an interesting phenomenon. Most interesting perhaps is the effect this opt-in policy has had on vaccine registration as a whole. I have a feeling this happened last Sunday (May 2) as well, as it became increasingly apparent that people were registering for AstraZeneca in droves. I realised that there was no ‘sweet spot’ with regards to how long one was willing to wait regarding long-term data concerning the vaccines. We do hope that such opt-in options will become available throughout the country, and that it will somehow prioritise people according to vulnerability and need.
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 03:38 UTC
Priority should be to vaccinate the working population
MALAYSIA has adopted the strategy used by Western countries in vaccinating the general public, which is to prioritise senior citizens or the elderly who are considered the most vulnerable. In fact, senior citizens are the most obedient people; if you ask them not to go out because they are too vulnerable, chances are that they will stay at home. If the government wants to open up the economy as soon as possible, then the working population should be prioritised. Give employers a timeline as to how they must get their workers vaccinated. With this ruling in place, I believe employers will be lining up to get their workers vaccinated before the targeted dates.
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 00:56 UTC
Buddhist group to send oxygen aid to India
Compiled by JO TIMBUONG, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANTHE Malaysian chapter of Buddhist association Fo Guang Shan will be sending 200 oxygen concentrators to India to help Covid-19 patients, Sin Chew Daily reported. India, which is the birthplace of Buddha, is currently experiencing a severe shortage of oxygen supply following a sharp rise in the number of patients, with over 300,000 infections daily. The abbess for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, Venerable Jue Cheng, organised a fundraiser on April 27 to buy the oxygen concentrators. The machines will be sent to New Delhi, Chennai and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with the help of a Malaysian businessman. “My ideal villain is not one who chops a person up without reason or someone who is disliked by the audience.
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 00:13 UTC
Vote for your favourite Raya video
Watch: Go to https://sites.thestar.com.my/rayavideo2021/ and watch the compilation of Raya commercials. Vote: Log in to vote for your favourite videos – you are allowed to cast your vote three times a day. Answer: After casting your daily votes, answer a simple question to stand a chance to win exclusive Star Media Group merchandise. Repeat: You may return and vote as many times as you wish throughout the campaign period until May 20. Scan QR code to vote for your favourite Raya video
Source:The Star
May 06, 2021 00:05 UTC
More to beauty than meets the eye
Hejnowska, who is among those vying for the state-level Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) title on May 30 and 31 for the Kaamatan or Harvest Festival, said there were – and still are – many doubters when she first decided to join the pageant. “But it doesn’t really bother me because I know I speak the language well. The Unduk Ngadau is held to commemorate Huminodun, daughter of ancient gods Kinoingan and Sumundu, who was said to be the most beautiful and kindest girl who ever lived. The chosen Unduk Ngadau will be a symbol of beauty and portray what a true Sabahan woman is. Kaamatan is when the people of Sabah, especially farmers, traditionally give thanks to the gods for an abundant harvest.
Source:The Star
May 05, 2021 23:45 UTC
Ferry terminal almost ready
“We are supposed to connect with a ferry terminal in Singapore. As an international entry point to the country, the new ferry terminal will allow guests from Changi Airport to be brought here directly. Desaru Development Holding One Sdn Bhd, the master developer of Desaru Coast, owns and manages the ferry terminal. On the development of the ferry terminal, she said the terminal was designed to handle about 300 passengers at any one time. Johor Public Transportation Corporation chief operating officer Fadzil Abdul Hamid said that Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal would be the state’s ninth international ferry terminal.
Source:The Star
May 05, 2021 23:19 UTC
Tuchel masters Zidane as Chelsea go from strength to strength
LONDON (Reuters) - Thomas Tuchel added Zinedine Zidane to his list of victims as the German's stunning transformation of Chelsea continued on Wednesday with his vibrant side eclipsing Real Madrid to reach the Champions League final in style. But with Tuchel having taken Chelsea from ninth in the Premier League to fourth, into the FA Cup final and now into their first Champions League final since 2012, few would deny that hiring the 47-year-old was anything other than a masterstroke. Wednesday's 2-0 cruise past 13-times European champions Real Madrid for a 3-1 aggregate win, a scoreline that flattered the Spaniards, was Chelsea's 18th clean sheet under Tuchel. Zidane was looking to secure his fourth Champions League semi-final progression, a feat managed only by Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi. He will have to outwit Pep Guardiola in Istanbul as Chelsea take on Premier League champions-elect Manchester City in the second all-English Champions League final in three years.
Source:The Star
May 05, 2021 23:11 UTC
Zynga to buy mobile ad focused Chartboost, raises full-year bookings forecast
(Reuters) - Zynga Inc said on Wednesday it would buy mobile game ad network Chartboost and raised its full-year bookings forecast, counting on robust performance of titles such as "Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells" and the expected launch of "Farmville 3". In the first quarter, the company generated net bookings of $720 million, beating estimates of $686 million, according to Refinitiv data. Mobile gaming firms across the world profited last year as restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a surge in spending. Player spending revenue on mobile gaming jumped 25% to $22.2 billion globally in the first quarter, data from analytics firm Sensor Tower showed. Zynga raised its full-year bookings to $2.9 billion from $2.8 billion, slightly above estimate of $2.84 billion.
Source:The Star
May 05, 2021 20:24 UTC